ACA Branch and Division Leaders Participate in 2015 ILT

Each year, ACA Branch and Division leaders head to Washington, DC to attend ACA's Institute for Leadership Training. Participants attend education sessions, network with peers, and lobby for critical counseling topics on Capitol Hill.

This year's "Day on the hill" focused on the following issues: more LPCs hired by the VA; passage of H.R. 2759, the “Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2015," which would establish Medicare coverage of LPCs; and funding for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP) in this year’s appropriations bill.

ACA asked social media followers to add their voice via social media by uploading a photo to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using the hashtag ?#‎CounselorsEmpower? – not just a selfie, but a photo that illustrates how counselors empower people from all walks of life. Perhaps it's you in front of your school, you with a therapy dog, or even a bulletin board or display you created within your organization or community. By participating, you can help us put a face to the important work you do, showing Congress and other elected officials that every day, counselors are making a difference!

See photos here:

See contributions to the #CounselorsEmpower campaign here:

ACA works on these issues every day, on and off of Capitol Hill. But the reality is, we need your help to get across the finish line. Demanding action from your local elected official is critical. Sign up to join our fight at http://www.counseling.org/government-affairs/public-policy. We will give you the tools you need to make a difference and you will have the option to send emails directly to your member of Congress. Also, make sure to follow your Senators and Representatives on Facebook and Twitter so you can communicate your views publicly (find them at http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov). We can't do it alone. Please consider lending your support today!